I went to visit National Palace Museum with four of our classmates, Grace, Vicky, Enid and Aya. When we arrived at the museum, it was already around 3:00 in the afternoon. We borrowed the audio guide with the museum, it cost us 100 NT. dollars to borrow the ear phones, which was kind of expensive for us. At that time, the museum was full of tons of people, which made us hard to visit our target treasures together. Hence, we divided into two groups, Enid +Vicky as one group; Aya, Grace and I as one group.
We found that the result of using audio guide wasn’t as good as we expected. The audio guide only offered some of the introduction of the treasures in the museum. What’s worse, we couldn’t hear the audio guide clearly because of the noisy environment created by different groups of tourists. Furthermore, we were forced to separate from Aya because of the other tourist. It seemed that everything was in a mass and I could only continued to visit the museum’s treasure with Grace only since it was hard for us to find either Aya or Vicky and Enid.
However, Grace and I were very lucky to bump into a guide who was leading a group of mainlander tourists. We found that the guide’s introduction was more clear and vivid than the audio guide. Thus, both Grace and I decided to follow that Chinese guide to listen to his introduction.
I found that the introduction provided Chinese guide was rich in terms of the art works’ historical backgrounds and the techniques explanation. With the Chinese guide’s help, I understood when did the art works were formed and the story behind each of the art works. Thanks to the Chinese guide Grace and I met over there, we had further understanding toward the art works such as the “Bamboo brush-holder depicting a letter reading scene from the Romance of west Chamber,” the “Aloes wood carving of the nine Elders in Xiang-shan Mountain,” the “meat shaped stone,” and the “Jadeite cabbage” etc.
I think National Palace Museum is a nice place to demonstrate the great art works of our history and country. However, the guided system isn’t very complete. In my opinion, the National Palace Museum and provide further training for the English or other languages tour guides so that these guides can provide better quality of art work introduction. Besides, there were too many tourists to visit the museum at one time, which made it hard for everyone to have chance to take a look on these treasures. If the museum can do further control of the quantity of tourists at one exhibition room at one time, the quality of visiting the museum could be improved a lot.
2010年6月16日 星期三
2010年6月15日 星期二
My Reflection on Zhongli City Presentation
I am familiar with the Zhongli City since it is close to my native place. I used to go there very often when I was a child. The place I went most often was the Yi Ming Temple (義民廟). It used to be a temple to worship those citizens who used to fight against the foes that attacked the village and died in the war. However, if you go to Yi Ming Temple nowadays, you can find several Gods of Taoism, and Buddhism insides.
Whenever I went to that temple, I went for the ceremony of worshiping “God Pig” (神豬). According to the elderly in my family, it is one of important activities for the Hakka people to worship for good luck in the following year. The farmer would bring and kill the heaviest pig that they raised to join this activity. The one who brings the heaviest pig would win the competition and get a great deal of money as reward. It would be a great honor to a farmer.
However, I didn’t like that kind of competition at that time since I felt that it was inhuman and kind of scary to see pig to be placed with that kind of position. Whenever I saw the “God Pig’s” eyes, I felt sense of guilt and sorry for the pig’s condition. Hence, I never go to that kind of ceremony when I grow up.
I like Zhong Li County since I can meet lots of Hakka people who are very friendly and hospitable and eat a variety of Hakka food, which is quite similar with the ones made by my grandmother, over there. Thus, whenever I go to Zhong Li County, I feel a sense of familiarity.
I like Silvia and Carol’s presentation a lot since they introduced several aspects of Zhongli city. Some points that they introduced like the exotic cuisine, and the foreign culture of Zhongli city are the ones I wasn’t familiar with before. I would like to experience the night market and the special foreign cuisine restaurants some day in the future.
Whenever I went to that temple, I went for the ceremony of worshiping “God Pig” (神豬). According to the elderly in my family, it is one of important activities for the Hakka people to worship for good luck in the following year. The farmer would bring and kill the heaviest pig that they raised to join this activity. The one who brings the heaviest pig would win the competition and get a great deal of money as reward. It would be a great honor to a farmer.
However, I didn’t like that kind of competition at that time since I felt that it was inhuman and kind of scary to see pig to be placed with that kind of position. Whenever I saw the “God Pig’s” eyes, I felt sense of guilt and sorry for the pig’s condition. Hence, I never go to that kind of ceremony when I grow up.
I like Zhong Li County since I can meet lots of Hakka people who are very friendly and hospitable and eat a variety of Hakka food, which is quite similar with the ones made by my grandmother, over there. Thus, whenever I go to Zhong Li County, I feel a sense of familiarity.
I like Silvia and Carol’s presentation a lot since they introduced several aspects of Zhongli city. Some points that they introduced like the exotic cuisine, and the foreign culture of Zhongli city are the ones I wasn’t familiar with before. I would like to experience the night market and the special foreign cuisine restaurants some day in the future.
My Opinion toward Betel Nut Beauties
When you drive along the street, you would probably see some spicy girls wearing bikini and sit in a transparent store. They are not prostitutes who try to use their charming appearance to attract man to sleep with them; they are Betel Nut Beauties who sell betel nuts and some drinks or cigarette.
These Betel Nut Beauties use their shining stores and charming image to attract the possible customers, who are mostly trunk drivers or workers, to come to their store and buy their products. They actually don’t do anything illegal, however, their wearing sometimes cause them some troubles.
For instance, some men with bad intention might go to the betel nut shops to molest these betel nut beauties. Some police officers might go to these betel nut beauties and ask them to wear more clothes since their spicy wearing and the way they greet the customers might have negative influence on the passing by teenagers. What’s more, it is the betel nut beauties’ actions and wearing that make the parents or other conservative groups of people in this society see them in negative points of views.
I believe that most of these betel nut beauties simply try to use their charming body images to attract more customers to go to their shops. They don’t do anything to disturb others’ lives. Sometimes these betel nut beauties can even be helpful for those who lose their way when driving.
In my opinion, there’s noting wrong for these betel nut beauties sell betel nuts with their attractive appearance. However, they need to keep in mind that their actions can be seen by not only the customers but also the teenagers or even younger generations. If the betel nut beauties only wear few clothes, they might get themselves into dangerous situations since some criminals might see them as easier attack targets.
It’s hard for those who have prejudice toward betel nut beauties to change the way they see these spicy girls. However, they need to keep in mind that their actions can be seen by not only the customers but also the teenagers or even younger generations. Perhaps they can try to put on more clothes and avoid doing some controversial actions so that they won't get themselves into great trouble.
These Betel Nut Beauties use their shining stores and charming image to attract the possible customers, who are mostly trunk drivers or workers, to come to their store and buy their products. They actually don’t do anything illegal, however, their wearing sometimes cause them some troubles.
For instance, some men with bad intention might go to the betel nut shops to molest these betel nut beauties. Some police officers might go to these betel nut beauties and ask them to wear more clothes since their spicy wearing and the way they greet the customers might have negative influence on the passing by teenagers. What’s more, it is the betel nut beauties’ actions and wearing that make the parents or other conservative groups of people in this society see them in negative points of views.
I believe that most of these betel nut beauties simply try to use their charming body images to attract more customers to go to their shops. They don’t do anything to disturb others’ lives. Sometimes these betel nut beauties can even be helpful for those who lose their way when driving.
In my opinion, there’s noting wrong for these betel nut beauties sell betel nuts with their attractive appearance. However, they need to keep in mind that their actions can be seen by not only the customers but also the teenagers or even younger generations. If the betel nut beauties only wear few clothes, they might get themselves into dangerous situations since some criminals might see them as easier attack targets.
It’s hard for those who have prejudice toward betel nut beauties to change the way they see these spicy girls. However, they need to keep in mind that their actions can be seen by not only the customers but also the teenagers or even younger generations. Perhaps they can try to put on more clothes and avoid doing some controversial actions so that they won't get themselves into great trouble.
2010年6月8日 星期二
Feedback toward the Cross-Cultural Experiences of Expatriates
2010/5/26
International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF國合會) is an organization that strengthens international cooperation and enhances foreign relations by promoting economic development, social progress and the welfare of the people in partner nations around the world.
The guess speaker Mr. Shih briefly introduced the ICDF (國合會). He told us what the organization did for our countries and those countries which have diplomatic relations with us. I think what the people in ICDF do for the countries which don’t have strong economic power or have great problems of people’s livelihood were very touching to me. These volunteers not only need to sacrifice their time of being with their family but also need to try their best to get involved in the foreign culture within a short period of time.
What’s more, these expatriated people might also encounter some difficulties or dangers such as the attack from the civil strife of the foreign countries they go to. Even though there are so many possible dangers or inconvenient things that they might encountered during the process of expatriate, these volunteers still devoted themselves toward the people who are in need in those developing countries. I think their attitudes and actions really worth admire from the public.
Throughout the speech, I think the part that related to Mr. Shih’s living experience in other countries were the most interesting parts. The pictures that were shown by Mr. Shih gave me a vague idea of the living environment and living experience toward those countries.
I think I might not be able to experience what Mr. Shih had experienced before since it’s hard for me to tolerate the loneliness of being alone in foreign countries. Besides, it’s hard for me to bare the environment of the Africa countries mentioned by Mr. Shih. However, I will introduced the projected mentioned by Mr. Shih to my friends in case that some of them might have interest in such kind of voluntary works in the countries which have diplomatic relations with us.
ICDF Website: http://www.icdf.org.tw/english/e_about_bg.asp
International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF國合會) is an organization that strengthens international cooperation and enhances foreign relations by promoting economic development, social progress and the welfare of the people in partner nations around the world.
The guess speaker Mr. Shih briefly introduced the ICDF (國合會). He told us what the organization did for our countries and those countries which have diplomatic relations with us. I think what the people in ICDF do for the countries which don’t have strong economic power or have great problems of people’s livelihood were very touching to me. These volunteers not only need to sacrifice their time of being with their family but also need to try their best to get involved in the foreign culture within a short period of time.
What’s more, these expatriated people might also encounter some difficulties or dangers such as the attack from the civil strife of the foreign countries they go to. Even though there are so many possible dangers or inconvenient things that they might encountered during the process of expatriate, these volunteers still devoted themselves toward the people who are in need in those developing countries. I think their attitudes and actions really worth admire from the public.
Throughout the speech, I think the part that related to Mr. Shih’s living experience in other countries were the most interesting parts. The pictures that were shown by Mr. Shih gave me a vague idea of the living environment and living experience toward those countries.
I think I might not be able to experience what Mr. Shih had experienced before since it’s hard for me to tolerate the loneliness of being alone in foreign countries. Besides, it’s hard for me to bare the environment of the Africa countries mentioned by Mr. Shih. However, I will introduced the projected mentioned by Mr. Shih to my friends in case that some of them might have interest in such kind of voluntary works in the countries which have diplomatic relations with us.
ICDF Website: http://www.icdf.org.tw/english/e_about_bg.asp
2010年5月10日 星期一
Taiwanese Puppetry as a sub-culture
Many of my friends are infatuated with the Pili Puppetry series. Two of them draw drawings featured with characters that have appeared in the Pili series. I love to watch those series as well. Personally, because I have watched Pili puppetry with my father since I was seven. I had deep affection to it, which has accompanied my childhood till now. To me, the pronunciation of Taiwanese is very different from the use of Taiwanese I use in my life. It sounds more scholarly and educated. Sometimes, I really wonder how the script-writers come up with diverse use of vocabulary and complex plot. It is very fascinating to me because listening to the utterances from each character is one enjoyment. For different groups of characters the pronunciation differs. There are different word choices for characters to indicate the same thing. By listening to the conversation, you can simply identify which group the character belongs to.
For my friends, they adore the design of the puppets. For them, each puppet is a piece of art. The delicate clothing, weapon, and hairstyle of each character show how creative the production team is. They also invent different poems, theme songs, names for attacking skills for their characters. Thus, creating a new character is not an easy job. And the successful establishment of a character makes my friends crazy. They all adore the creativity and originality of the production team. When there is a comic expo, many people dress themselves like characters in the puppetry series to pay tribute to the characters and their makers.
I think Pili really does a great job in making the puppetry appealing to younger generations. I have heard from my father that Pili employs college students to write scripts and perform theme songs for characters. With the employment of young generation, I think Pili can keep absorbing new energy and create more fascinating plot, songs, and characters.
Sharon Zheng
My thoughts over Chinese Calligraphy
Each student in Taiwan must have the experience of practicing calligraphy in class. To me as an elementary school kid, it was such a torture that I wanted to escape. To write a good calligraphy, posture was extremely important. We were asked to hang our wrists up in the air and move our arms steadily, which for me was a task. My right arm got sore in several minutes. What’s worse, if I wrote bad calligraphy, the teacher would punish me by hitting me on the hand with a strict. That was the reason why I was afraid of practicing calligraphy. Writing a good calligraphy requires plentiful patience and practice. I still remembered that I envied classmates who could write beautifully. It was an honor if someone could be picked by the teacher to represent the whole class to attend the competition.
However, my attitude changed. Somehow, as I grew up, I found calligraphy artistically beautiful and worth practicing because it could train my concentration on things. I adored the structure of each character and develop my interest in imitating the strokes and the structure of characters with ball pan. Even though I still wrote bad calligraphy, I could write beautifully with ball pans. I even tried to buy models for calligraphy for myself to imitate with ball pan. In the course of imitating, I found much peace within myself and could concentrate more on what I was working on. Each character has to be balanced and you have to be steady enough to write characters properly.
Now, I do think that writing calligraphy is a good way to train oneself to be concentrated and stable. It takes efforts to memorize the whole structure of a character. I feel very peaceful and sharp when practicing writing. When I finish duplicating one model, I often feel a sense of achievement. Whenever I feel upset or anxious, I will sit down in front of my desk and start to write something until my handwriting becomes steady and straight. It is said that you can judge one’s disposition and mood by looking at the handwriting. I often look at my own handwriting. If it is very careless, I would take one model out and start writing. To me, practicing writing calligraphy becomes one way to cultivate my patience and disposition.
Sharon Zheng
However, my attitude changed. Somehow, as I grew up, I found calligraphy artistically beautiful and worth practicing because it could train my concentration on things. I adored the structure of each character and develop my interest in imitating the strokes and the structure of characters with ball pan. Even though I still wrote bad calligraphy, I could write beautifully with ball pans. I even tried to buy models for calligraphy for myself to imitate with ball pan. In the course of imitating, I found much peace within myself and could concentrate more on what I was working on. Each character has to be balanced and you have to be steady enough to write characters properly.
Now, I do think that writing calligraphy is a good way to train oneself to be concentrated and stable. It takes efforts to memorize the whole structure of a character. I feel very peaceful and sharp when practicing writing. When I finish duplicating one model, I often feel a sense of achievement. Whenever I feel upset or anxious, I will sit down in front of my desk and start to write something until my handwriting becomes steady and straight. It is said that you can judge one’s disposition and mood by looking at the handwriting. I often look at my own handwriting. If it is very careless, I would take one model out and start writing. To me, practicing writing calligraphy becomes one way to cultivate my patience and disposition.
Sharon Zheng
2010年4月20日 星期二
Thoughts on Techo Sam Thà Tsú (the Third Prince)
The sensation the Techo Sam Thà Tsú made in the World Games in Kaohsiung was a great success in promoting local culture in Taiwan.
Personally, I do not think very highly about this innovative way of presenting local culture. I prefer the original way the deity is. To me, this way it looks more like a deity than an entertaining thing. Because of the success in the World Games, other places begin to perform Techo Sam Thà Tsú. Sometimes the background music may be other contemporary songs such as "Sorry Sorry" by a Korean group. This phenomenon shows that people become more acceptable toward this invention.
Even though I do not like it very much, I try to think otherwise. To appeal to people who are not familiar with one culture, this kind of performance can effectively attract their attention and interest. I cannot deny that this invention works very successfully.
I learn from this experience that change is not a negative thing. Through renewing tradition, we may inject new energy and meaning to those old things. I hope that after this class, I can try to create something new from our cultural heritage.
Sharon Zheng
Personally, I do not think very highly about this innovative way of presenting local culture. I prefer the original way the deity is. To me, this way it looks more like a deity than an entertaining thing. Because of the success in the World Games, other places begin to perform Techo Sam Thà Tsú. Sometimes the background music may be other contemporary songs such as "Sorry Sorry" by a Korean group. This phenomenon shows that people become more acceptable toward this invention.
Even though I do not like it very much, I try to think otherwise. To appeal to people who are not familiar with one culture, this kind of performance can effectively attract their attention and interest. I cannot deny that this invention works very successfully.
I learn from this experience that change is not a negative thing. Through renewing tradition, we may inject new energy and meaning to those old things. I hope that after this class, I can try to create something new from our cultural heritage.
Sharon Zheng
2010年4月14日 星期三
My reflection on the course "Chinese Culture in English"
From the course I discovered the beauty of Taiwan and learned more about our culture. However, what I've learned from the course conflicts with what I've known. When we are talking about the beautiful scenery and tourist spots, I thought about the constructions and pollutions the factories and companies brought. For example, we learned that Yunlin (雲林), Changhua (彰化) and Chiayi (嘉義) counties are famous for its wonderful sceneries and the agricultural culture. However, the plan of Central Taiwan Science Park (中部科學園區計畫) is actually ruining all these beauties. Farmers are being evacuated away from the land their rely on. Fishermen can't make their livings because the water is polluted. The Highest Court has already announced that the environmental assessment of the Central Taiwan Science Park is invalid. But the Environment Protection Department didn't use its power to stop the construction. There are hundreds of thousands of reasons to stop the program but our government departments ignore the declaration of the highest court, despite the law of our country and the happiness of the people of the nation, continuously work on the illegal project on Science Park.
And when we are talking about the various and abundant cultures in Taiwan, I thought about the suppression of aboriginals and the disadvantaged ones. For example, once we talked about the groups of people in Taiwan, we mentioned the aboriginals in Taiwan. The seemingly wonderful aboriginal cultures are actually invaded by us (I mean most of the Han people and other cultures). Indeed, they used to do hunting, singing and dancing. Their culture involves a lot of ceremonies for different time periods and they have special dressings and decorations.
But today these are all just something for sale. The unique dressings and decorations have become products in the souvenir stores. The ceremonies have become parts of some tourist programs. Today the aboriginals have to leave their hometown and come to big cities such as Taipei or Taichung to make their livings. Most of them become the labors who build the skyscrapers and the mass transportation systems. These labors work hard and are exposed to dangerous working environments but they received small amount of money, which is just right enough for them to make the ends meet. With insufficient salary, these workers can't rent a place to live and they have no spare money to send back home. This become a cycle for them: they can't earn more money because after their own living expense, there is no more for them to use; they haven't earned enough money to go back home, thus they stay at the cities for a longer time to earn more.
If we take a look around us, we might found that there are plenty of aboriginal tribes living at the countryside around Taipei county. I've been to a tribe of A-may under the bridge between Sanshia(三峽) and Yingge(鶯歌). The experiences and discoveries I had there really struck me and influenced me a lot. If possible, I would like to invite our classmates to visit the tribe.
For me, it is really a suffer to take the course because every time I learned something precious in Taiwan, the reality keeps bothering me. It is really pathetic that at the same time we students are figuring out methods to promote Taiwan, but at the same time people are damaging the beautiful island. If we can have the chance to discuss about what is really happening in Taiwan, we can understand what kind of problem we are facing and come up with some solutions to make Taiwan better.
The followings are the links to some article to what I've mentioned. If you are interested in the issues, please take a look.
中科四期精選懶人包
http://antictsp.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/中科死四期，精選回顧-懶人包/
撒烏瓦知、崁津、三鶯部落後援會
http://support-sanying.blogspot.com/
Judy Chou
And when we are talking about the various and abundant cultures in Taiwan, I thought about the suppression of aboriginals and the disadvantaged ones. For example, once we talked about the groups of people in Taiwan, we mentioned the aboriginals in Taiwan. The seemingly wonderful aboriginal cultures are actually invaded by us (I mean most of the Han people and other cultures). Indeed, they used to do hunting, singing and dancing. Their culture involves a lot of ceremonies for different time periods and they have special dressings and decorations.
But today these are all just something for sale. The unique dressings and decorations have become products in the souvenir stores. The ceremonies have become parts of some tourist programs. Today the aboriginals have to leave their hometown and come to big cities such as Taipei or Taichung to make their livings. Most of them become the labors who build the skyscrapers and the mass transportation systems. These labors work hard and are exposed to dangerous working environments but they received small amount of money, which is just right enough for them to make the ends meet. With insufficient salary, these workers can't rent a place to live and they have no spare money to send back home. This become a cycle for them: they can't earn more money because after their own living expense, there is no more for them to use; they haven't earned enough money to go back home, thus they stay at the cities for a longer time to earn more.
If we take a look around us, we might found that there are plenty of aboriginal tribes living at the countryside around Taipei county. I've been to a tribe of A-may under the bridge between Sanshia(三峽) and Yingge(鶯歌). The experiences and discoveries I had there really struck me and influenced me a lot. If possible, I would like to invite our classmates to visit the tribe.
For me, it is really a suffer to take the course because every time I learned something precious in Taiwan, the reality keeps bothering me. It is really pathetic that at the same time we students are figuring out methods to promote Taiwan, but at the same time people are damaging the beautiful island. If we can have the chance to discuss about what is really happening in Taiwan, we can understand what kind of problem we are facing and come up with some solutions to make Taiwan better.
The followings are the links to some article to what I've mentioned. If you are interested in the issues, please take a look.
中科四期精選懶人包
http://antictsp.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/中科死四期，精選回顧-懶人包/
撒烏瓦知、崁津、三鶯部落後援會
http://support-sanying.blogspot.com/
Judy Chou
2010年4月10日 星期六
Reflection on the Food Presentation
This experience of undergoing a presentation regarding Taiwanese food gave me a good lesson. In the course of selecting representative foods, I discovered that Taiwanese foods included a variety of origins. That made the selection much more difficult than ever. Now, as the diverse people of diverse ethnic groups emigrated to Taiwan, different cooking elements from other cultures affected Taiwanese food culture. Thus, we have restaurants with Tai-style, Mexican style, and etc. Besides, sometimes Taiwanese people integrate different cooking and added their creativity. One of the famous example is the pizza. We try to put fruits into it, which is not the original style. Some Italian people react negatively against pizza with pineapple. However, I love it very much. Once I heard one French exchange student saying that she loved this kind of pizza more than the original one. Taiwanese people are really talented in cooking. Personally, I like Chicken soup with some Chinese herbs. Though some combination of herbs taste bitter, my mother makes soup sweet by adding red dates and fructus lyciis. This kind of soup is beneficial to body. I especially love to drink chicken soup in winter. After drinking this soup, I always feel warm and energetic.
Sharon Zheng
Sharon Zheng
2010年3月27日 星期六
Foot Massage in my memory
My initial impression of foot massage was from one of my relatives whose occupation was a massage therapist. He owned a store with black glasses which blocked light from outside. Thus, I always thought massage was conducted in a dark environment, which aroused my fear without doubt. I received foot massage once from him. During the whole procedure, I felt pain all over in my foot. I even felt pain after the massage was finished. And the relative started to say that my liver was poor, my digesting system was weak, and my body needed more nutrition, which later became a guide for my parents to improve my body condition. They picked Chinese herbs which were said to improve my health status. At that time, I really thought that foot massage was a way to punish people. How could people feel relaxed after foot massage!!?? I couldn’t understand.
Later, I memory about foot massage was connected with a blind singer, Bing-hui Li. He became famous because of his song “wandering to Danshui”. Many TV programs invited him to share his career as an impaired-massure. That was how I knew about an impaired-massure’s life was like. My impression toward this occupation was blind people, low-income, and difficult. They had to rely on other people who took them to their working place.
Now, my impression toward foot massage is associated with bright and clear parlors along the street, which is very different from the past one. I still feel very amazed when watching at the new type of store for foot massage. Different from the dark room which aroused my fear, this new decoration really eases my nervousness toward foot massage. However, now I still cannot gather my courage to give it a try. I still can vividly remember the pain I felt in my childhood. I may try again when my life style becomes more healthier.
SharonZheng
Later, I memory about foot massage was connected with a blind singer, Bing-hui Li. He became famous because of his song “wandering to Danshui”. Many TV programs invited him to share his career as an impaired-massure. That was how I knew about an impaired-massure’s life was like. My impression toward this occupation was blind people, low-income, and difficult. They had to rely on other people who took them to their working place.
Now, my impression toward foot massage is associated with bright and clear parlors along the street, which is very different from the past one. I still feel very amazed when watching at the new type of store for foot massage. Different from the dark room which aroused my fear, this new decoration really eases my nervousness toward foot massage. However, now I still cannot gather my courage to give it a try. I still can vividly remember the pain I felt in my childhood. I may try again when my life style becomes more healthier.
SharonZheng
2010年3月24日 星期三
Face (Mianzi)
Face (Mianzi)
People in Taiwan care a lot about their dignity, in other words, they care a lot about their faces (Mianzi). Most of the Taiwanese tend to would pop their faces (mianzi) in front of others. The main reason why people do such kind of thing is they want to earn others’ respect and higher social status.
On the contrary, if you make people lose their faces (mianzi) in public by revealing their secrets or something they don’t want others know, people would think of you as a rude person because you insult this person to some degree.
In order to keep their mianzi, people usually only share something positive with others during the chatting, conversation, or interaction with others in public.
For instance, if a man lost all of his belongings, in order to save his mianzi, this man might simply act as if there was nothing happened to him.
Saving mianzi doesn’t only happen to men, women also do similar things. For example, when Taiwanese women encounter some thing bad such as domestic violence, rape, or conflict with their husbands, most of Taiwanese women would choose to remain silent instead of asking help from others. The reason why these women do not reveal the negative sides of their lives is they want to save their mianzi so that the society won’t treat or see them with special attitude.
In short, in Taiwan society, you need to save face (mianzi) not only for yourself but also for the ones that you interact with. In this way, you can show your respect to others and earn others’ respect at the same time.
People in Taiwan care a lot about their dignity, in other words, they care a lot about their faces (Mianzi). Most of the Taiwanese tend to would pop their faces (mianzi) in front of others. The main reason why people do such kind of thing is they want to earn others’ respect and higher social status.
On the contrary, if you make people lose their faces (mianzi) in public by revealing their secrets or something they don’t want others know, people would think of you as a rude person because you insult this person to some degree.
In order to keep their mianzi, people usually only share something positive with others during the chatting, conversation, or interaction with others in public.
For instance, if a man lost all of his belongings, in order to save his mianzi, this man might simply act as if there was nothing happened to him.
Saving mianzi doesn’t only happen to men, women also do similar things. For example, when Taiwanese women encounter some thing bad such as domestic violence, rape, or conflict with their husbands, most of Taiwanese women would choose to remain silent instead of asking help from others. The reason why these women do not reveal the negative sides of their lives is they want to save their mianzi so that the society won’t treat or see them with special attitude.
In short, in Taiwan society, you need to save face (mianzi) not only for yourself but also for the ones that you interact with. In this way, you can show your respect to others and earn others’ respect at the same time.
2010年3月22日 星期一
The proud of Taiwan? - Tzuchi
On March 11th we watched a series of video clips made by a group of Taiwanese students introducing Taiwan. I appreciated the hard work on gathering so many fabulous pictures and I did like the video very much because it reminds me how beautiful the island is. However, there is one point mentioned in the clip that I don’t really agree with. Here I want to share my idea with you guys.
In the “famous people/thing” part of the clip, they mentioned Tzuchi (慈濟), the most famous foundation and charity from Taiwan. As we all know, Tzuchi was established by the Dharma Master Cheng Yen in 1966, mainly dedicate themselves to education, medicine and humanistic culture. Of course, we Taiwanese are all very proud that we have such a charitable organization. But after I read the article from the journalist Hu muqing (胡慕情), I don’t really think that Tzuchi deserved such praise from Taiwan and other countries.
Here is the article. http://gaea-choas.blogspot.com/2010/02/blog-post_8012.html【災後半年】慈善有界線
As we all know, after the catastrophe on August 8 in 2009, Taiwan government and Tzuchi help the victims to rebuild their home. The most controversial part of the rebuilding is the “temporary residence” or “eternal home.” The local residents are mainly separated into two parts: the ones who want to stay at the shelter or the temporary residence, and the ones who want to go back to their shabby hometown. Doubtlessly we should respect their choices. Hence it is the government and Tzuchi's responsibility to fulfill their needs and help them to get back on their feet.
However, Tzuchi use their great love and mercy as a disguise, but in fact intruding the locals’ life. Tzuchi helps the local to rebuild their home and at the same time adds some “Tzuchi” flavor to their house: the big rocks with description to remind the broken-hearted locals of how the tragedies happen to their family members, roads named by Tzuchi, and disturbing the locals’ religious beliefs.
Of course Tzuchi is helping out of good will, but we have to make sure there’s a boundary between helping and invasion. Also, we Taiwanese should rethink whether Tzuchi is really Taiwan’s proud.
Judy Chou, Eng dept. FJU
--
2010.03.24 AM 00:50
I found an nice article talking about what Tzuchi have done.
慈濟的愛，不如一碗白飯
http://www.wretch.cc/blog/Bernstein/15990229
In the “famous people/thing” part of the clip, they mentioned Tzuchi (慈濟), the most famous foundation and charity from Taiwan. As we all know, Tzuchi was established by the Dharma Master Cheng Yen in 1966, mainly dedicate themselves to education, medicine and humanistic culture. Of course, we Taiwanese are all very proud that we have such a charitable organization. But after I read the article from the journalist Hu muqing (胡慕情), I don’t really think that Tzuchi deserved such praise from Taiwan and other countries.
Here is the article. http://gaea-choas.blogspot.com/2010/02/blog-post_8012.html【災後半年】慈善有界線
As we all know, after the catastrophe on August 8 in 2009, Taiwan government and Tzuchi help the victims to rebuild their home. The most controversial part of the rebuilding is the “temporary residence” or “eternal home.” The local residents are mainly separated into two parts: the ones who want to stay at the shelter or the temporary residence, and the ones who want to go back to their shabby hometown. Doubtlessly we should respect their choices. Hence it is the government and Tzuchi's responsibility to fulfill their needs and help them to get back on their feet.
However, Tzuchi use their great love and mercy as a disguise, but in fact intruding the locals’ life. Tzuchi helps the local to rebuild their home and at the same time adds some “Tzuchi” flavor to their house: the big rocks with description to remind the broken-hearted locals of how the tragedies happen to their family members, roads named by Tzuchi, and disturbing the locals’ religious beliefs.
Of course Tzuchi is helping out of good will, but we have to make sure there’s a boundary between helping and invasion. Also, we Taiwanese should rethink whether Tzuchi is really Taiwan’s proud.
Judy Chou, Eng dept. FJU
--
2010.03.24 AM 00:50
I found an nice article talking about what Tzuchi have done.
慈濟的愛，不如一碗白飯
http://www.wretch.cc/blog/Bernstein/15990229
2010年3月17日 星期三
Guanxi “關係”
In regard to the discussion about the term, guanxi, in our textbook, I have a complex feeling towards the phenomenon that the social network of Taiwanese people is based on guanxi, which is a kind of relationship Taiwanese people share with other people around them or in their lives. As mentioned in class, if I establish a guanxi with a vender owner; in other word, I become a frequent patron, I may be treated some additional service which needs no payment for. This kind of guanxi can be extended to my friends if I introduce them to the vender owner. They possibly have the same service like I receive from the owner.
As a Taiwanese person, I don’t find this social network between people complex. We can benefit people around us and receive some assistance from people whom we share guanxi with. Sometimes, when I am in need of help which my parents cannot offer, they ask for their friends who can help. And they help me without asking for any repay at that moment. Once we use guanxi to ask other to help us, we are expected to repay when being asked for help in the future, which is considered as obligation and etiquette of asking for favor. This guanxi system really makes me feel warm in heart. The practice of guanxi can be seen everywhere. That is a part of our lives.
However, sometimes I do find this system troublesome. I will feel unfair if someone uses guanxi to win a position in job instead of using his or her ability. Though feeling so, I won’t complain too much because I live in this society. Besides, everyone may do that. That is the way our society goes.
Sharon zheng
As a Taiwanese person, I don’t find this social network between people complex. We can benefit people around us and receive some assistance from people whom we share guanxi with. Sometimes, when I am in need of help which my parents cannot offer, they ask for their friends who can help. And they help me without asking for any repay at that moment. Once we use guanxi to ask other to help us, we are expected to repay when being asked for help in the future, which is considered as obligation and etiquette of asking for favor. This guanxi system really makes me feel warm in heart. The practice of guanxi can be seen everywhere. That is a part of our lives.
However, sometimes I do find this system troublesome. I will feel unfair if someone uses guanxi to win a position in job instead of using his or her ability. Though feeling so, I won’t complain too much because I live in this society. Besides, everyone may do that. That is the way our society goes.
Sharon zheng
2010年3月4日 星期四
Orientation
This is a blog for students of Fu Jen Catholic University, who have taken the course Chinese Culture in Foreign Language-English, to reflect and express themselves about what they've learned and obtained in or outside the class.
The basic requirement of the blogging for the course is to post at least 8 articles.
We are group number 2. The group members are Judy Chou, Sharon Zheng, Ann Chang, and Ayai Kojima.
訂閱：
文章 (Atom)